Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

The Retreat: A Novel by Sarah Pearse

3 reviews

sophieamreacher's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Good atmosphere, didn’t guess the twist, rooted for main character. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gun violence, Drug use, Drug abuse, Confinement, Toxic relationship, Classism, Child death, Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Blood, Physical abuse, Murder, Stalking, Mental illness, Medical content, Gore, Vomit, Violence, Grief, Gaslighting, Death, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Body horror, Death of parent, and Cursing

bekah1210's review against another edition

mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Murder

Moderate: Death of parent, Child abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Violence, Gun violence, and Confinement

Minor: Kidnapping, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Suicide, Toxic friendship, and Stalking

ashleyvharris's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

Not super compelling. Didn’t hold my interest. Forgettable characters. Literally cannot remember their names as I write this. Connection between the guests and the island’s past seemed flimsy at best. Setting felt a bit out of place. Felt a bit like The Chestnut Man but not as suspenseful.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, Murder, Toxic relationship, Violence, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, and Toxic friendship